Chateau de Fonbel 2018

Von den Besitzern von Chateau Ausone, Familie Vauthier! 70 % Merlot, 16 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 7 % Carmenere, 7 % Petit Verdot; der Carmenere Anteil ist ungewöhnlich hoch und man spricht von einem der größten Carmenere Flächen von ganz Bordeaux, auch der Petit Verdot Anteil ist erstaunlich hoch, einer der höchsten Anteile dieser Rebsorte am rechten Ufer 14,0 % vol; Gärung temperaturkontrolliert in Edelstahl; Ausbau in Barriques für ca. 10 Monate, 30 % neues Holz; vinifiziert vom gleichen Team wie auf Chateau Ausone, unter der Leitung von Pauline Vauthier.

- 93 Punkte The Wine Cellar Insider, Jeff Leve: „Appreciably better in bottle than in barrel, the wine offers spicy fruits, flowers and licorice on the nose. The wine has filled out, adding additional layers of silky textured, sweet, fresh red fruits with a light touch of oak in the finish. The wine was made from blending 70% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Carmenere and 7% Petit Verdot.“

- 93 Punkte James Suckling: „Black berry and blueberry with some cedar and dark mushroom character. It’s full-bodied yet tight and poised with pretty structure and balance.“ Try after 2024.

- 92-94 Punkte Jeb Dunnuck: „A blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Carménère, the 2018 Château De Fonbel is a juicy, medium to full-bodied, elegant Saint-Émilion that has seriously good notes of black cherries, black raspberries, violets, and spice. It shows the ripe, sexy style of the vintage, but its purity of fruit and polished tannins set it apart. This is a beautiful wine and my money is on it being a best to date.“

- 91 Punkte VINOUS, Antonio Galloni: "The 2018  de Fonbel is wonderfully plump and inviting, which makes it an excellent choice for drinkin now and over the next decade or so. Succulent dark cherry, plum, mocha, spice, new lether and licorice all come together in an understated, open-knit Saint-Émilion that offers tons of immediacy and leasure." Drinking Window: 2022-2033

- 91 Punkte DECANTER, Jane Anson: "Enticingly deep spice, as a result of the Carménère combined with the dark fruits of the Cabernet Sauvignon. This is from sand-dominant soils and yet draws nuance, interest and character from them. 30% aged in (one-year-old) oak and the rest in stainless steel. A lot to enjoy here. 2025-2040."

- 90-91 Punkte Vertdevin: "The nose is fruity and offers a fine intensity, a fine concentration. It reveals notes of juicy/crunchy Boysen berry, ripe cassis, small notes of strawberry associated with a touch of cherry blossom, violet as well as a discreet hint of cardamom and toasted. The palate is fruity, fresh and offers juiciness, freshness, minerality, a small suavity as well as gourmandize, a fine acidulous frame. On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy/Fresh strawberry, cassis, small notes of violet associated with small touches of crunchy blueberry, lilas as well as fine hints of fresh mild tobacco and a hint of cardamom. Good length. Tannins are well-built. A discreet hint of grilled on the finish/persistence."